TCM and Cancer Care

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is in its essence, about balance. The idea being that if the body is in balance, there is health, well-being and vitality When the body is out of balance it will exhibit a variety of symptoms showing up in tings such as sleep patterns, digestive function, bowel patterns and emotional symptoms just to name a few. Thee different signs and symptoms give a picture of the internal environment of an individual. These symptoms fall into particular patterns and enable your TCM doctor to see what systems are off balance. And, when we support the body where it is most needed – the root cause of illness – we help return the body to its natural state of balance and inherent wellness.

The main components of TCM include acupuncture, herbal medicine, diet therapies, massage (Tuina) and an exercise component (Tai Qi and Qigong traditionally). Treatments are always customized to the individual, constantly evolving to align with changing needs. No two people are treated in the same way, as their root imbalance is unique to them. TCM treats not just the disease, but also the patient, seeing into the uniqueness of the individual and their personal healing journey.

Since its origins over 3000 years ago, Traditional Chinese Medicine has been used to treat tumors in the body. In modern day, one can use TCM in several ways in regards to cancer care and treatments.

Herbs, acupuncture and dietary therapies are used to help decrease pain, reduce the swelling and inflammation of the tumor mass itself as well as help to combat the side effects of conventional treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation and speed up recovery time after surgery. It can be used to help boost the function of internal organs, helping to support the immune system, maintain normal blood counts and normal digestive function. It can also be used once someone is in remission, helping them identify certain patterns that may be contributing to an overall imbalance. By working with these systems we can help bring balance back to the body and an even greater sense of health and well-being, allowing them to stay cancer free.

The NIH Census panel on Acupuncture declared that there is clear evidence that Acupuncture is an effective modality particularly for nausea and vomiting induced by chemotherapy and for relief of pain[i] and researchers from the University of California comment that possible effects of TCM herbal therapy can ‘reduce tumor load, prevent recurrence or formation of a new primary cancer, bolster the immune system, enhance the regulatory function of the endocrine system, protect the structure and function of internal organs and glands, strengthen the digestive system by improving the absorption and metabolism, protect bone marrow and hematopoeitic function and prevent, control and treat adverse side effects caused by conventional treatments for cancer”[ii]

Herbal medicine is administered in a formula, comprised of many different individual herbs. These formulas address the various aspects of the disease as presented and the individual constitutional needs of the patient. These are taken in the form of a tea, tincture, power or pill and can be taken with western drugs and supplements.

Angela has been trained in Traditional Chinese Medicine both in Canada as well as in Mainland China. She draws on her education in psychology and western nutrition and dietetics in her practice as well as her deep belief in the body’s natural ability to heal. She has worked extensively in Cancer care and support since her time at ‘Inspire Health’, a government funded integrative cancer care centre located in Vancouver. Angela believes that the integration of mind, body and spirit is essential to the healing process, and honours the deeply unique and expansive healing journey of every individual.